Casual, Durable Fabrics for Family-friendly Spaces

Woven Cotton or Linen Blends. As eco-friendly interior designers, we try to incorporate natural fibers as much as possible into our projects. We love woven cotton or linen blend fabrics  – they are breathable, have a soft hand, and lend a casual, laid-back vibe to a space. If you have a very active household, it would be advisable to opt for a cotton and synthetic blend for durability, such as 70% cotton and 30% polyester or rayon blend. Look for heavier weight cottons for longer life spans for your sofa or sectional.

There are a wide range of synthetic fabrics used in upholstery, the most common being polyester, rayon, viscose and nylon. Synthetic fabrics were created to mimic natural fabrics, but with increased stain resistance and durability (and often with a less expensive price tag). Generally, synthetic fibers are rather durable and are a good option when blended with a natural fabric.

Small scale patterns. Nothing hides stains better than a little pattern! Our general rule of thumb is that the smaller the pattern the more easily a fabric can be used as a neutral, mixing seamlessly with other fabrics and patterns in a room. Some of our favorite patterns include herringbone and geometric prints such as hexagons. Patterns come in a range of fabric types, our preferred construction is a woven pattern rather than a printed pattern. These fabrics are more durable and will hold up better over the long run.

Textural Wool Bouclé.  This nubby textile derived from the French word meaning “curled” or “ringed,” bouclé refers to a fabric made from a series of looped fibers. Wool is the most common fiber used in bouclés, which are very textural and typically have a high pile and a cozy vibe. Bouclés are fantastic at hiding sticky kids fingerprints and generally do not show wear as much due to their inherit variation and uneven texture. We love using a bouclé on armchairs, but you can also use this fabric on a sofa or ottoman.

Sophisticated Fabrics for Formal Spaces

Cotton, Linen or Silk Velvets. If you want a fabric that feels as luxurious as it looks, velvet is for you! The depth of the pile shows off dye really well, resulting in intense, rich tones. Blue velvet will have a much deeper color than a similarly-dyed piece of flat-weave cotton or linen. We opt for velvet when we want to create a statement with a bold, saturated color – it’s a great choice for armchairs, settees, beds and benches. Keep in mind that velvet does crush easily, even a highly durable velvet may be susceptible to marking as the pile flattens from normal use and wear. The tendency of velvet to crush is not a defect, and can even lend charm to your space as a piece gets more use.

Mohair is a soft wool that comes from the hair of the Angora goat, and is characterized by a distinct luster and sheen. Mohair has a thicker pile height and a very sophisticated appearance. It is also durable and highly resilient to crushing and creases, and may be a better choice than velvet if you prefer a uniform fabric that won’t change over time. Given it’s versatility, we tend to use this fabric on all types of furniture pieces – from sofas to upholstered beds.

Wool. A natural fiber that comes from animal hair, wool is a durable choice for upholstery fabric. We love using wool for understated, luxe spaces where we prefer a matte finish and no sheen. Wool comes in a variety of colors and is typically blended with other fibers to avoid a scratchy feel. Look for wools with a finer, tighter weave for a more elevated appearance.

Head over to our Custom Furniture page to explore more photos of custom upholstery designed by PJNIX Interior Home Interiors!

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A curved Vladimir Kagan sofa takes center stage in the formal living room, which features a carved wool rug and mid-century inspired velvet armchairs. The oversized artwork by Melissa Dickenson is from K Imperial Fine Art.

We hope you enjoy a peek inside this colorful home! The PJNIX Interior Home team is wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and hope that you are able to safely share your spaces with family during these uncertain times.

We transformed the formal living room niches into a bar with custom mirrors and cabinets perfect for storing bottles and glassware. Our playful color story continues in these niches with custom geometric mirrors in blue, grey, and copper tones. We styled this space with smoked glass barware and brass accents to tie in with the coffee table.

The kids “hangout room” is right off of the living room – perfectly situated for easy parental check-ins!  A custom modular sofa can be separated to provide flexible seating arrangements for board games, watching movies or to make way for dance parties! A custom geometric silk and wool rug grounds the space and adds an unexpected pop of blush.

Another modern hangout downstairs offers a more private space for the kids and their friends to jam out to their favorite music. Custom built-ins span the back wall which also feature a small-scale patterned wallpaper. The white oak built-ins provide ample storage space for board games, music equipment and a record collection. Artwork by Martin Javier Palottini adds a graphic, playful punch. Be sure to check out this entire San Francisco home on our Work page!

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“I loved working with Jennifer, Lynn and the entire PJNIX Interior Home team. Goes without saying that they are highly talented, top-notch designers. Our place has been transformed! In addition to their design expertise, they excel at project management and execution. They made the entire process super easy, transparent and efficient. I had complete trust in them to stay on top of all the details and keep me updated throughout the project. Great listeners, professional, always responsive and fun to work with. Couldn’t be happier!”

– Ranee L., San Francisco Client

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The Sustainable Furnishings Council is a coalition of manufacturers, retailers and designers dedicated to raising awareness and expanding the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices across the home furnishings industry. Jennifer’s efforts to bring awareness to this important movement include speaking on a recent virtual panel for High Point Market highlighting some of his favorite sustainable products.

Another incredible organization that we are thrilled to be involved with is The Good Future Design Alliance created by San Francisco designer Katie Storey in 2019. Niche Interiors was honored to become a Founding Member of this local movement, alongside other like-minded industry friends in the architecture, construction, and landscape architecture fields. The GFDA’s customized toolkits offer resources for how to reduce waste to professionals in all facets of the design/build industry. Together we can make a change and help our industry move towards a more sustainable future. Read more about our commitment to eco-friendly design on our Green Interior Design page.

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As eco-friendly designers, we also appreciate that re-using and extending the lifecycle of a furniture piece is kind to the environment. Tracking down the perfect vintage piece can be quite the challenge, but have no fear, we’ve done the legwork for you! Read on for our insider designer tips on where to score the best vintage furniture and accessories in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Almond & Company is our first stop for high-end vintage originals and collectible furniture and lighting spanning a range of decades. Their expansive showroom in the Bayview is a treasure trove of beautiful pieces ranging from re-upholstered originals, casegoods, lighting and artwork by local artists.

If you are looking for inspiration on how to expertly combine vintage with modern pieces in your home, Coup D’Etat is your place. With an ever-changing showroom full of curated vignettes, Coup D’Etat carries both vintage and new furniture and lighting designs. Their Coup Studio line offers modernized riffs on vintage designs with the ability to customize the upholstery and finishes – win, win!

Narrative Oak is our favorite hidden gem for finding those special finishing touches such as one of a kind accessories and artwork! Their charming shop features a mix of dealers offering ceramics, glassware, artwork, and textiles mixed with vintage furniture.

You won’t find a wider selection of mid-century Danish sideboards or Scandinavian dining chairs than Mid Century Mobler in Berkeley. Our Principal Designer Jennifer’s son comes prepared during vintage sourcing trips with his tape measure in hand!

Still can’t find the perfect piece? Head over to our custom furniture page to see examples of what PJNIX Interior Home Interiors could design for your home!

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When our longtime client purchased this 1950’s beach house it was outfitted with original dark wood paneling and stained glass windows. We reimagined the space to integrate our client’s modern aesthetic while bringing in more natural light and highlighting the incredible ocean views. A light, textural palette is used throughout with white oak floors and ceilings and board-formed concrete. The interiors feature a mix of modern furniture and lighting alongside sculptural, vintage pieces that give a nod to the home’s mid-century roots.

View the complete collection of photos of this incredible modern beach house design!

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